EasyJet cancels Boxing Day flights 'as a precautionary measure'

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The low-cost carrier said that it was cancelling some services “as a precautionary measure” in the face of French union members’ walk-out over pay and working terms.

The SNPNC and UNAC French cabin crew unions have called on members to strike from 00:01 on December 25 to 23.59 on December 26. This could affect flights to and from France, although at present no flights in or out of the UK have been cancelled. This means thatUK passengers most likely to be affected are those planning to transit in France, or those already in Europe and travelling to or from France for the duration of the strike.

In a statement, easyJet said that it has 1,200 flights scheduled for Boxing Day, and that it would ensure a minimum service on every route. The airline apologised to customers for the disruption and advised those who had booked to check the status of their flight on the airline website. As there are no flights scheduled for December 25, no travellers will be affected by strike action on Christmas Day.

The carrier said: “easyJet will do everything possible to minimise the impact of the strike on its passengers which is why the airline has taken the decision to proactively cancel some flights as a measure of precaution, to allow passengers to re-organise their travel plans for the Christmas holidays.”

However, the final cancellation list will only become available on Christmas Eve, when easyJet receives full details of strike action from the unions.

The SNPNC call to strike notice claims that easyJet is in very good financial health, with an increase in turnover and operating profits that have led to “copious bonuses” for the managerial team, and yet cabin crew have “quite simply been forgotten” by the airline. The union claims that easyJet refuses to implement a stable roster or “matched days off” for couples.

EasyJet said that its crews are predominantly employed on permanent contracts and are “among the best remunerated crew in France”. The carrier added that this strike had been called at the beginning of annual negotiations, and it remains “open and committed” to resolving the issue with the unions.